Friday

Jan 31, 2014 at 12:01 AMJan 31, 2014 at 3:55 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) expressed concern over the impact of a proposed wind turbine farm in Newport, North Carolina, on a National Weather Service (NWS) radar located only 2.4 miles away from the potential turbine site. In a letter to NWS Director Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, Congressman Jones cited a Carteret News-Times article that described a similar case in Fort Drum, New York, in which a turbine located approximately the same distance from a NWS radar caused corrupted data, false severe weather warnings, and radar damage. In light of this example, the letter requested a detailed evaluation of the potential effect of the Newport wind turbine on NWS radar operations in the area.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) expressed concern over the impact of a proposed wind turbine farm in Newport, North Carolina, on a National Weather Service (NWS) radar located only 2.4 miles away from the potential turbine site. In a letter to NWS Director Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, Congressman Jones cited a Carteret News-Times article that described a similar case in Fort Drum, New York, in which a turbine located approximately the same distance from a NWS radar caused corrupted data, false severe weather warnings, and radar damage. In light of this example, the letter requested a detailed evaluation of the potential effect of the Newport wind turbine on NWS radar operations in the area.

“The National Weather Service radar in Newport is a multi-million dollar taxpayer investment, and Eastern North Carolinians depend on it for onshore and offshore weather forecasting and severe weather analysis,” said Congressman Jones. “Any project that could potentially impact the utility of the radar is one that should be carefully researched.”

Congressman Jones has also expressed concern over the effect of the proposed wind turbine on Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and New River and has requested meetings with Department of Defense officials on the subject.